L'Atelier Saint Germain de Joel Robuchon

Admittedly, this is a bit more sophisticated than most of my usual bistros. But no excuses. Sometimes you just need to get your references clear. Still, despite a cuisine elaboree d'exception, the place is low key and cosy. But make no mistake, Joel Robuchon is now more than a restaurant, it's an international brand - for better and for worse. At the Atelier Saint Germain you enter a discretely designed place where you immediately get the feeling that kitchen is king: No tables, just bar counters with the hardworking food artists behind. And the beutiful thing in a high end place like this, Once seated, you simply feel at ease, the atmosphere is relaxed. The food is of course excellent. No faults. Very refined and well thought through concepts. The idea is based on small tapas style dishes, French haute cuisine in a modern presentation. For example, simple traditional dishes as oef cocotte, remade in a symphony of crayfish, peas, egg and black truffle. Simple ideas, but very eloquently executed. It is worth the quite considerable money spent, although the wines are quite pricey for Parisian standards, particularly by the glass.

www.joel-robuchon.net/

Les cocottes

A cocotte is a kind of stew pan used for simmer food. Les cocottes is one in a line of three restaurants from Christian Constant, located just next to each other (see also http://pariseur.blogspot.fr/2013/01/cafe-constant.html). The place is warm and has a good ambience, although the well known chef also here implies a quite touristy and international vibe. You dine at high chairs and tables and in the long and cool looking wooden bar. The wine selection is of course very good, and the food also delivers to some extent, although the concept of basic recipes in cocottes is less preparations a la grand mere and more a kind of stunt in the servings. Which actually is a bit a shame. A bit pricy too. A good experience, although you're left with the feeling of missing out on something.

maisonconstant.com

Cafe Constant

This is a good place. Regardless of the number of tourist guides that crowd the place with backpacking tourists and the likes, the place is simply excellent for the price range. The cafe is next to Constant's more high end restaurant and bistro just a few meters away. Although the place is crowded and the tables are changing owners continuously, the room holds a good vibe. The kitchen is simple and traditional, but everything is done well. The menu holds different levels of sophistication and prices, allowing for a broad and funny crowd to mix. The clientele covers both outsiders as well as locals, providing a melting pot that seems slightly more tasty than in most 7th district restaurants. The wines offered are not many, but well selected and probably reflect the good cellars of the sister restaurants nearby. Good wines by the glass.

www.cafeconstant.com

Laiterie Sainte Clotilde

In the very bourgois neighborhood of the 7th, restaurants are often something only for the nearby ministries during lunch hours. Laiterie Sainte Clotilde is also worth a visit in the evening. Not for its decor, but the place is nice and does very much with very little in terms of good feeling. The food is sharp and creative, well conceived and well prepared. Dishes such as chestnut salad, boeuf Saint Marcelais are delivered very well. The prices are also reasonable for the area.

La Fontaine de Mars

Leaving the Eiffel tower and Champ de Mars behind as you're moving towards Invalides, you'll find a number of great restaurants. La Fontaine de Mars is a sure thing. Everything comes in the traditional way, the menu, the waiters, the servings as well as the interior. The servings are nicely done. Not more, not less. A good, safe bet. One downside, the selection of wine is somewhat disappointing. 

www.fontainedemars.com